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Lancaster inks agreement with home security organization

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Home Security (268198)
Home Security

The Lancaster City Council during a recent session unanimously approved a professional service agreement between the city and video doorbell manufacturer  Ring Inc. With the goal of discouraging home burglary in Lancaster, the Ring Doorbell and Camera Rebate Program is subsidized by a $50,000 contribution from the Lancaster Sheriff Boosters, in partnership with the city which has allocated $50,000 in city funds for the program.

“Collaborating with Ring on this program provides the City of Lancaster with the opportunity to improve resident safety through the use of cutting edge technology,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “A Ring Doorbell, in addition to the diligent work conducted by our Department of Public Safety and the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, offers security and peace of mind to residents – making Lancaster an even safer place.”

The city of Lancaster reached out to Ring to determine how its innovative line of products could best supplement the city’s and local Sheriff’s Department’s ongoing efforts to combat residential burglaries. Ring’s pilot program, which was hosted in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 2015, included 41 homes in the Wilshire Park area of Los Angeles being outfitted with a Ring Doorbell. The pilot resulted in a 55% reduction in residential burglary in the Wilshire Park area between July and December 2015, with no burglaries taking place at the homes with a Ring Doorbell.

The Ring Doorbell connects to Wi-Fi, and when the doorbell is rung and/or motion sensors are activated, residents are able to see, hear, and speak to their visitors or anyone who is at their front door via a smart phone or tablet. Additionally, the Ring app allows residents to share video footage with their neighbors and law enforcement, a technology which the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputies are already utilizing.

Since its initial launch in 2013, Ring has successfully worked with cities such as Diamond Bar, Temple City, Arcadia, and Santa Clarita to offer their video doorbell product at a discounted price. The city of Lancaster has provided the largest subsidy of any city involved with Ring Inc. for the Doorbell and Camera Rebate Program, as a result of a unique partnership with the Lancaster Sheriff Boosters and their commitment of $50,000, in addition to the earmarked city funds, and a $50,000 match from Ring. Households will be eligible for a minimum $100 discount, while households that select the Video Doorbell 2 will be eligible for an additional $50 subsidy provided through the Lancaster Sheriff Boosters, for a total of $150 subsidy for that purchase.

Those living in Lancaster’s initial program area, within the boundaries of Avenue H to Avenue K and 20th Street West to 30th Street East, will have the opportunity to order their Ring Doorbell one week before the program is available citywide. These neighborhoods were selected based on Sheriff data regarding home burglaries in Lancaster. Discount codes will be offered to 1,000 households on a first come-first served basis, and only one discount code will be distributed per household.

“The safety of our community members has always been a top priority for the City Council and the Lancaster Sheriff Boosters. With the help of the Sheriff Boosters, we are able to offer this product at a deep discount — making security affordable for so many of our residents,” added Lancaster Vice Mayor Marvin Crist. “It is through partnerships like this that we are able to work for the betterment of our community as a whole.”

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